“Things were really hard for Alex at his home in Abilene the last couple of years before his mom died,” Alex’s aunt, Cecelia Tarr, shared. “My sister Deb was a single mom with three boys and she struggled most of her life. Alex was the youngest and his two brothers were much older. They moved from place to place, didn’t have a lot of money, and sometimes not much to eat. Because his mom was so sick, Alex would often miss school and just stay home with her.

“The last time Deb was in the hospital I think she knew she wasn’t going to make it much longer, so we talked about Alex. She asked me to take care of him and I promised her I would. When she died, I took Alex in. He was only nine years old, and I had two boys of my own.”

Alex’s uncle, Glenn Killam (Cecelia and Deb’s brother), then began to talk to Cecelia about Alex’s future. Glenn and his wife Patty both work at South Texas Children’s Home Ministries (STCHM), and he suggested placing Alex there.

“I was against it at first, but as I thought about it, I knew that I couldn’t give Alex all he really needed,” Cecelia said. “Alex’s dad had never really been in the picture and I knew Alex needed a strong male role model. I look back now and see God’s hand in it all, but I am not going to lie; it was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do … to take my nine-year-old nephew to a place more than six hours away and leave him there. He tried to be strong and not cry but I know he had to be scared. I was always afraid he would hate me for leaving him, but Alex has told me that he knew being placed at STCHM was the best thing for him.”

When Alex first walked into Faith Cottage to live with his new houseparents, Jason and April Batley, he noticed a collection of angels.

“Alex’s mom had collected angels,” Glenn and Patty shared, “and his new housemom collected them too. It was like a sign that he belonged, and he immediately began calling his houseparents Mom and Pop.”

“I was nervous when I first came,” Alex said. “I was kind of a grouchy kid. I was used to making my own food and taking care of myself, and I didn’t want people telling me what to do. But then I realized that everyone at the Children’s Home was trying to help me. My houseparents have always made this feel like home to me. I could tell that they weren’t going to give up on me and I wasn’t going to give up on them.”

The Batleys had only been at STCHM for two months when Alex came to live with them. He didn’t know how to ride a bike and had never been swimming.

“Alex had a lot of struggles initially because he had missed so much school, but he has adapted well,” the Batleys shared. “Alex is outgoing and friendly and always wants to be a part of everything. He is so helpful around the house, even when we don’t ask for help, like carrying the groceries and helping with the new baby in our cottage. It has been a real blessing to have him with us. A lot of kids go home for visits and they have a mom or a dad there, but Alex doesn’t. He also lost his grandmother in 2009 and an uncle in 2010. We know we’ll definitely still be Mom and Pop to Alex after he graduates and that’s fine with us.”

Alex and his caseworker, Jake Kelley, also have a strong bond.

“Alex is a fun-loving, easygoing, polite young man! He always has a smile on his face and is always the first to say thank you,” Jake shared. “He has grown so much over the years. He is passionate in his love for the Lord and works very hard to serve Him. He especially loves to serve using his hands. Lately, Alex and I have been driving a lot together to work on his mandatory driving hours to get his driver’s license. I love listening to Alex’s stories about school, football, and his future, and I love to share my heart and passions with him, too, because Alex is a good listener! I can’t believe he’s already a senior.”

Alex and several other STCHM students went on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic (DR) this year with Student Ministry Director Becky Moore.

“Alex served with all his heart in the DR,” Jake said. “He came back very inspired and with a new perspective.”

“Jake and Becky have helped me be a leader and not just a follower,” Alex said. “The mission trip was life-changing. In America, everything is always handed to us and we are always complaining about what we don’t have. But in the DR, they have so little and yet they put their whole faith in God. It was my first time to fly and my first time out Texas! I have had so many opportunities to do things here. I also worked with a local plumber this past summer, and I hope to get my plumbing license after I graduate.”

“Being at STCHM has helped Alex physically, mentally and spiritually,” Glenn said. “He accepted Christ into his life at Vacation Bible School the summer after he first came, and the discipline and structure he receives here have made all the difference in the world.”

“Glenn and I first met each other while working at STCHM,” Patty shared. “Neither of us sought out our jobs but were asked to come serve here. We had only been married two weeks when Alex’s mom died. We both believe God brought us here to bring us together and because He knew Alex needed to be here. It was all part of God’s plan for Alex’s life, and it’s been incredible. God’s grace is all over Alex. He has a great strength. I’ve seen Alex take on every challenge that’s come his way – at school, on campus. He never gives up; he’s not a quitter, and we admire him for that.”

Alex enjoys his visits back to Abilene and his Aunt Cecelia visits him at his home with the Batleys every chance she gets.

“I want people who read this story to see how God can take something hard and make something good,” Cecelia said. “Every time I drive through the gates at South Texas Children’s Home Ministries, I sense that God uses this place. And when I am there, I see the love and care that the staff and others have for Alex and the other children. I tell everyone all the time that STCHM is and always will be a wonderful place for kids and families who are in the same position we were in. It is a hard decision but is well worth it. Without God and STCHM, Alex wouldn’t be the wonderful, loving young man he is today. He will be the first and only one in his family to graduate from high school. I know his mom and grandma would be proud of how Alex has grown up. We are all proud of him.”

“Alex is the child we have probably learned the most from during our time as houseparents,” April said a bit emotionally. “When we have been discouraged, Alex has been our inspiration to stay. Our home will have a hole in it when Alex leaves but I know he won’t forget about us! Alex will always have STCHM and he’ll always have us.”

“We can’t thank the Batleys and the Children’s Home enough for all they have done for Alex,” Glenn said. “He has a real chance to do something with his life. This is a great place for children to grow up. It becomes family. I think it remains to be seen all the ways this place has affected Alex’s life.

Homer Hanna named STCHM interim president and CEO

Beeville – After nineteen years of service at South Texas Children’s Home Ministries (STCHM), President and CEO Todd Roberson will leave soon to take the helm of another ministry that meets the needs of children and families. He has been named the new president of Children At Heart Ministries in Round Rock, Texas. Roberson will succeed Jerry T. Bradley who is retiring after 21 years in the position.

Roberson has headed South Texas Children’s Home Ministries since 2007. Previously, he served STCHM in several capacities including Chief Operating Officer, Vice President-Development, and Vice President-Business Administration.

John Weber, chairman of the South Texas Children’s Home Ministries board, praised Roberson for his years of faithful service.

“In each position Todd has poured his entire heart, soul and considerable talents into the task,” Weber said. “He has exuded confidence, compassion, understanding and discernment. He has led us through happy times and tragic events with the same steadiness that we have come to expect. As much as I would like to tell him that he cannot leave, I have told him that it has been my privilege and pleasure to serve as his board chair, that I appreciate everything he has done for South Texas Children’s Home Ministries and the extended STCHM family, and that I will miss him and his family as they move into the next ministry the Lord has for them.”

Roberson, a native of Lubbock who grew up in Lubbock and Houston, holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Baylor University and a master of arts in religious education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Jill, have two children, a daughter Lindsey, 16, and son Parker, 14. The family attends First Baptist Church in Beeville where Roberson is chairman of deacons and holds other leadership roles.

Roberson noted the mixed emotions he and his family feel about moving from South Texas Children’s Home Ministries and Beeville.

“After 19 years, we are seriously invested in the children, staff and programs of STCHM,” he said. However, it is with a great sense of God’s moving in our hearts and lives that we believe God has called us to this new opportunity and we step forward by faith to this new point of service.” Roberson will assume his new role Sept.1.

“Todd Roberson comes to Children At Heart Ministries (CAHM) with the essential tools, credentials and reputation,” said Bill Harrison, chair of the Round Rock-based ministries’ board of trustees. “He also comes with attributes important to lead this ministry—a man who listens to God, a man who loves and involves his family in major life decisions, and a man who has compassion for hurting children and families.”

“His experience in the childcare field, along with his management style and warm rapport, will be a good fit for this critically important position,” said Linda Bebee, a member of the CAHM board and chair of the president search committee.

Bradley, who plans to retire Dec. 31, is confident in his successor’s abilities to lead CAHM into the future.

“Without a doubt, I feel that Todd Roberson is the person to which I can transfer my responsibility and know that under God’s direction, Todd will be the servant that will continue this great ministry as it serves children and strengthens families.” Bradley said.

Children At Heart Ministries includes Texas Baptist Children’s Home in Round Rock, Gracewood in Houston, Miracle Farm in Brenham, and STARRY in Round Rock.

On Friday, July 15, Weber and the STCHM executive committee announced that Homer Hanna of Beeville has agreed to serve as STCHM interim president and CEO as the search begins for a replacement for Roberson.

“Before I talked to Homer to see if he would take on this responsibility, I spoke with each of the members of our executive committee about who our interim should be, as well as to the chairmen of the South Texas Children’s Home and South Texas Children’s Home Land Management boards,” Weber said. “All were in agreement that we could not have a better person in this position than Homer Hanna.”

Hanna retired from South Texas Children’s Home in 2000 after 22 years of service. During his tenure, Hanna’s responsibilities included serving as child care administrator, special assistant to the president, and vice president for church relations. Additionally, he served two terms as interim president for STCH. Although retired from STCHM, Hanna currently serves part-time as a STCHM development consultant and remains active in his involvements with the Home.

“South Texas Children’s Home Ministries is successful because of the wonderful group of talented and dedicated people who do their part in every aspect of the day to day life of the Home,” Weber said, “We are in marvelous shape to move forward as Homer steps in once again to serve the South Texas Children’s Home Ministries family. He will be a familiar face, both internally and publicly, as he represents the Home and facilitates operations.”

Hanna is honored to play a role in moving STCHM forward. Prior to his coming to STCH in 1977, Hanna served in numerous Texas churches in the positions of youth director, assistant pastor, associate pastor and pastor. He is a graduate of Baylor University and the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also served as dean of students at the University of Corpus Christi (now Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi) from 1966 to 1970. Hanna currently resides in Beeville with his wife, Marilyn. They are members of First Baptist Church Beeville and have three children and eight grandchildren.

“When I look at the quality, Christ-centered people God has brought to STCHM in the past – all the way from the board members to the administrative staff and all those who meet the needs of children and families each day – I know God will provide for the future,” Hanna shared. “Todd and Jill have certainly been a part of that provision, and we are sorry to see them go. But they are going to a wonderful place, and we are excited to see what God has in store for them. In the interim, we will faithfully carry out God’s work until He makes His will known.”

“Homer and Marilyn Hanna are loved by everyone who knows them,” Roberson said. “I personally owe so much to Homer for the role he has played in my life, and it brings me great joy to know he will be here as I move on. I will be keeping Homer and his family and the entire STCHM family in my prayers during this period of transition for all of us.”

Hanna will remain as interim president and CEO until the STCHM board search committee finds a full-time president and CEO to lead the ministry. STCHM currently provides loving family homes for children who need care on its campus north of Beeville, homes for single mothers and their children in Goliad, individual and family counseling services in Corpus Christi and Victoria, Christian Women’s Job Corps classes in Corpus Christi, and international childcare work in the Dominican Republic. All STCHM services are provided free of charge.

Thank you to all three companies for investing in the lives of our kids!

Children’s Home Youth Spend Weekend at Mo-Ranch

Beeville – Twenty-five teenagers from South Texas Children’s Home Ministries (STCHM) had the opportunity to be special guests at Mo-Ranch Conference Center recently during STCHM’s Disciple Now (DNOW) weekend retreat. Mo-Ranch is located on the north fork of the Guadalupe River in the scenic Texas Hill Country.

“It was so beautiful! Everything about it was just amazing!” 15-year-old Jennifer said. “We hiked; we played games; we walked along the river; we went to the Chapel on the Hill. And I learned a lot more than I thought I would learn.”

Jennifer’s favorite activity was the zip line on the high ropes course. “I was scared but I overcame it,” Jennifer said. “I asked God to help me do it and He did!”

The team-building activities a little closer to the ground also had a great impact on the students.

“I really liked the low-ropes course because each of the activities dealt with everyday life and teamwork and how to get things done,” said Anna, a 13-year-old STCHM student.

“The teachers and staff at Mo-Ranch are really gifted,” STCHM Director of Student Ministries Becky Moore said. “They did a wonderful job on the ropes courses, really teaching the students about trust and how important it is to communicate with one another. It went along so well with the theme of our weekend. We are all in one another’s life for a reason, linked together by God. We can learn so much from one another, and we each have so much to give.”

“There were so many amazing views at Mo-Ranch,” Anna shared. “You could look out in every direction and see that God made every little thing. I wasn’t expecting it to be so life-changing in only a weekend, but it was. I am not the same. Becky gave me some really good examples of dealing with everyday life and it is helping me right now. I’m even sharing things with my friends.”

South Texas Children’s Home Ministries offers general residential care for children of all ages, family counseling services, job and life skills training for women, family care for single moms and kids, and international ministry opportunities in the Dominican Republic.

Ten-year-old Jesse was basically living alone in life-threatening conditions with no electricity, food or water. Two younger siblings were living elsewhere and his mother was never around. The coaches in the town where he lived were bathing and feeding him as they could, but things were getting worse.

Linda and David drove the hour-and-a-half to bring Jesse to their home in Refugio, Texas, after stopping where his mother worked to get her permission. His hair was straggly, his gums were swollen, and he weighed 57 pounds. David explained to him on their way home that he would not be going back home again, and Jesse seemed relieved. After settling in, he climbed up next to David and quietly said, “Thank you for saving my life, Mr. David.” It was February 20, 2009, but their journey of love had started long before that moment.

Jesse and his siblings had been rescued once before in January of 2003, before Linda and David had ever met him. They were brought to the Children’s Home to live while their mother tried to deal with some personal challenges. “I remember getting some white shoes when I first came to STCHM,” Jesse said, “and having fun doing the Slip and Slide down the hill.” He also remembers riding bikes and swimming in the pool.

It was during this time that God brought the Whitentons into Jesse’s young life, or as they prefer to tell it, God brought Jesse into theirs.

Linda is a 7th and 8th grade special education teacher in Refugio and has always loved children. David, a talented artist, was retired from the petro-chemical industry but continued to work at an energy corporation after his retirement. Everyone who knew David referred to him as “Super Dave” because he could do just about anything and had an abundance of energy, especially when it came to helping others.

“We first laid eyes on Jesse on December 21, 2004, when some children from South Texas Children’s Home Ministries (STCHM) visited our small church, Blanconia Baptist,” Linda shared. “Steve Walker, who was a campus administrator at the time, was our substitute preacher that Sunday. Jesse and my husband, David, clicked right away and we signed up to be visitation sponsors after the service.” Visitation sponsors provide a child living at STCHM with extra emotional support by visiting the campus and having the child in their own homes on occasional weekends or special holidays.

“The first time we picked Jesse up to take him to Dairy Queen, he folded his little hands and asked, ‘Are we going to say grace?’” Linda said. “We could tell that the Christian upbringing he was getting at STCHM was making a difference. We fell in love with the houseparents and the entire STCHM staff.”

“From that time on, the Whitentons pretty much took Jesse on holidays and weekends every opportunity they had,” Walker said. “They even got to know Jesse’s mom a little. Linda cared for and loved Jesse in a tremendous way, and David took him hunting and fishing. He loved playing with the chickens and the dogs at their 42-acre homestead when he went to stay with them.”

Over the next four years, Linda’s love for Jesse grew as did the strong bond between David and Jesse. Linda’s two grown daughters, Heather and Amy, came to see Jesse as the little brother they never had.
“Mom taught Jesse that a family is real and attainable, no matter what your background,” Heather said. “A caretaker is just circumstance and a house is just geography. But a parent and a home are something entirely different. David taught Jesse about God, about respect, about doing for yourself, and about laughter. He showed Jesse that blessings are plentiful. He taught him that even though we all deserve to be blessed, being grateful for those blessings is so very important.”
“Mr. David taught me how to shake hands, be well-mannered, and how to hunt and use a crossbow.” Jesse said. “I learned a lot from him. My favorite thing to do with Mr. David was to talk.”

“You cannot sum up in words what David taught Jesse all those years,” Amy said. “David had an unwavering faith in God and believed in the saying that God chooses what we go through, but we choose how we go through it.”

During this time, Jesse’s life at STCHM was interrupted twice when his mom pulled him and his siblings out of the Home to live with her again, only to bring Jesse back within a year both times.

“This is always difficult on both the children and the staff,” said Mark Childs, STCHM Vice President-Childcare, “especially on our houseparents as they develop such an attachment with the children in their care. We worry about their safety and how well they will be taken care of when they leave. But we also understand that parents or guardians have the right to take their children back home at their discretion, unless their rights have been terminated. I believe that more times than not, children in this situation are experiencing mixed feelings of hope and fear.”

June 2008 brought big changes to Jesse’s world, and Linda and David’s as well. Jesse had made a profession of faith in Christ and was baptized, with David and Linda looking on with pride. But their joy was cut short when Jesse’s mom decided once again to remove Jesse from STCHM and take him back home with her. Linda and David were heartbroken. As they grappled with the reality of Jesse’s move, David was suddenly diagnosed with Stage IV prostate cancer that had spread to the bones.

In spite of this news and David’s prognosis, they tried hard to help Jesse’s mom and stay in touch with the boy who had captured their hearts. Their determination to do so was what ultimately led Jesse’s mom to trust them with her son after his desperate call to them in February of 2009. After he came to live with them, they enrolled him in the elementary school in Refugio and began custody proceedings to make Jesse their own.

“David always taught Jesse to look into his eyes when he was talking to him,” said Linda, “and one night David said, ‘Now Jesse, we’ve raised two girls in this school system and the Whitenton name is a good name in Refugio. So you need to make sure you continue to carry this on.’ Jesse seemed concerned, not thinking his own name had that same good reputation. But when he learned about King David in the Bible and the fact that his father’s name was Jesse, he began to stand a little taller.”

“Jesse was always so enamored by the love that was shared between all of us,” Amy said. “It was a wondrous sight for him. You could see it in his eyes. He wanted that; he wanted to learn and belong to something like that. And now he would have that. He has a life to look forward to …. a home that will always be his …. and a family that will always care for him.”

For the next eight months, David remained active and strong, spending every moment he could with Jesse. But on November 9, 2009, David’s courageous battle with cancer came to an end. Linda held Jesse close as he sobbed, “Now who’s going to teach me how to be a good man, Mrs. Linda?”

But the seeds of Mr. David’s wisdom had fallen on the fertile ground of a courageous young heart. Before long, it was Jesse who would bring comfort to Linda. She had worked hard not to cry in front of him but one day as they talked, her grief came pouring out. “What am I going to do?” she cried, with tears streaming down her face. She felt Jesse’s small hand on her shoulder and heard him say, “You just gotta live, Mrs. Linda, you just gotta live. You don’t need Mr. David to help raise me. He’s already taught me everything.”

One month after David went to be with the Lord, Linda was granted legal custody of Jesse.

“Jesse has been given the phenomenal gift of a new life,” Heather said. “I pray every day that he realizes he deserves it.”

Linda and David Whitenton with
Jesse when they first began
sponsoring him from South
Texas Children’s Home Ministries.

In Memory of David Allen Whitenton
“Super Dave”

October 10, 1939 – November 9, 2009
 

Today, 11-year-old Jesse is in his first full school year at Refugio ISD. He is a good student, well-mannered, and has made some good friends.

“I want to be on the track team and become an eagle scout one day,” Jesse said, “and maybe even become a game warden.”

“The largest change I’ve seen in Jesse is on an emotional level,” Heather shared. “He believes in things now – love, trust, honesty, mutual respect, and faith. Jesse is full of love for, and dependence on, the Lord. He now has a family to be accountable to, as well as a Higher Power. And I believe it has brought Jesse comfort to know that someone cares about what he does and how he does it.”

Amy is also in awe of Jesse’s growth. “To see him now, after what he has gone through, brings tears to my eyes,” Amy said. “You would truly believe that he has lived this wonderful life with Mom and David since birth. He takes pride in his home, his schoolwork, his appearance, his new family, and most of all, in the words that leave his precious mouth. Jesse has been the brave one in all of this. We have had the easy part ….. loving him.”

“David knew I was a nurturer and that I would need someone to love after he left,” Linda said. “Jesse has brought so much joy and peace into our lives, and he’s got a lot of David in him.”

“Sponsors like David and Linda Whitenton are a blessing for children living at the Home,” said Childs, STCHM childcare VP. “It’s really exciting to see how happy Jesse and Linda are as a family and to know we had a small part in it. God knew exactly what he was doing when he allowed their lives to meet.”

Somebody out there needs you as much as you need them.

Contact Ginger Bailey at gbailey@stchm.org to learn how you can help a child at STCHM.

“Each year, South Texas Children’s Home honors us with a luncheon to kick off the new school year,” said secondary career and technical teacher Laura Warnix. “Not only are we treated to a wonderful lunch but we are able to fellowship with the awesome staff and house parents, too. The greatest joy is getting to see our returning students and meeting the new students that will soon become part of the Pettus ISD family. To see the smiling faces of so many children who are truly loved, happy, and thriving in this Christian environment is a miracle within itself.”

Pettus ISD superintendent Tucker Rackley and secondary principal Brian Thompson thanked the Children’s Home for their hospitality and support after Mark Childs, STCHM vice president-childcare, welcomed everyone.

“We see the teachers, administrators and staff at Pettus ISD as our partners in providing the very best for the children and young people in our care,” said Childs. “They work with us continually to ensure that students have every opportunity to overcome some of the obstacles they have faced in their lives and move toward achievement and success. It is evident that the teachers and staff at Pettus ISD truly care about our students.”

Warnix has seen many students from the Children’s Home come through the Pettus schools during her 11 years of teaching there. “South Texas Children’s Home is a blessing to our community and we know it is through God’s grace and all their hard work that it continues to grow and prosper. The constant support we receive from houseparents and staff at the Home makes our jobs easier. We are grateful for their prayers each day so we may have the love, knowledge, and skills to teach not only the children of STCHM but the rest of our student body as well.”

Because of the generous donations of school supplies to the Home from so many, every Pettus ISD staff member received a bag, decorated by STCHM students, stuffed full of school supplies to share with students in need. Houseparents Michael and Karen Perkins of Brown Cottage also opened their doors to teachers who had not previously had the opportunity to tour a cottage.

“It is always helpful for teachers or even the general public to see how houseparents and children within a cottage live and interact,” Karen Perkins said. “The kids call us mom and pop and we function much like any other family. We appreciate the teachers and want to support them in any way we can as we work together to help every child have a positive experience during their time at STCHM and at Pettus ISD.”

South Texas Children’s Home Ministries welcomes individuals and groups for campus tours. To arrange a tour, please call Jill Roberson at 361-375-2101, ext. 241 or Robert Morales at 361-375-2417, ext. 205.

Weeks of careful preparation by STCHM and their partners in the Dominican Republic had preceded this moment. STCHM collected donations from many individuals, churches and a school, all eager to help, and sent the funds to Pastor Rudy de la Cruz of Quisqueyana Baptist Church (IBQ) in Santo Domingo. As some of the chaos in Haiti subsided, Pastor Rudy and his staff began the extensive process of paperwork and planning to ensure a successful and safe trip across the border into Haiti. This included several trips into Haiti to assess the situation and connect with churches that would serve as distribution points. Food common to the Haitian diet was purchased, including rice, beans, powdered milk, flour, sugar, oil, dried fish and spicy canned sardines called pica-pica.

Reports of riots and attacks by desperately hungry people in Haiti meant extra precautions had to be made. The supplies were divided into 100 boxes and then sealed and stored under the seats of the bus to make them as inconspicuous as possible. Visas and documents were secured, fees were paid, and permissions were stamped. A government official in Haiti, who was the cousin of the pastor in Bouque, Haiti where the supplies were headed, arranged to meet the team on the border at Jimani to help expedite their crossing. With many praying for their safety, Pastor Rudy, two IBQ members, a Haitian immigrant, and Jean Carlos of TIME Ministries began the five-hour trip to the border.

Trucks and buses were jammed at the border crossing when they arrived. With the help from the pastor’s cousin, and after considerable haggling, the “fees” demanded for the privilege of crossing were negotiated down from $2,500 to less than $600. Driving around other vehicles still in line, their bus was allowed to proceed toward the destination.

Pastor Rudy reported that no amount of reading or watching the news can realistically convey the sad and desperate situation of the Haitian people. As they traveled through the countryside, there appeared to be no evidence of the millions and millions of dollars that have been sent by so many countries to help the Haitian people.

“It was the middle of the day, the time for preparing their main meal, but there was no smoke from charcoal fires. No smells of food in the air. Just hundreds of people walking, milling around, hopeless, hungry,” Pastor Rudy said. “They just stood around or moved slowly and aimlessly from place to place, and no one was working. None of the children seemed to be in school, but they didn’t laugh or play. They just stood, with sad eyes, and hunger stamped on their faces.”

The distribution of food was intended for the families of the Baptist church named Iglesia Tabernaculo de la Trinidad but when the team arrived, over 1,000 people had gathered as word had spread that food supplies might be available. To avoid a riot, the bus was parked a few inches from the church door, and the sealed boxes were passed through a window of the bus and taken directly into the church. The inability to see what was in the boxes was also a deterrent to any possible violence. The church provided a safe haven for the supplies, in spite of the damage it sustained in January’s earthquake. Large cracks in the roof and walls have made it unsafe for worship, and the congregation now meets under tarps strung between tree-branch poles.

After all the boxes were unloaded, the pastor of the Haitian church held a short service and spoke words of encouragement to the gathered crowd. As the crowd disbursed, the team left in the bus so that the pastor could quietly distribute the boxes of food to individual families.

“If the provisions of food from around the world would have been distributed through the churches in Haiti,” Pastor Rudy said, “the churches could have delivered the food to their congregations and communities. The bottleneck that is preventing hungry people from receiving the food could have possibly been alleviated. So much food continues to be stored in huge warehouses and crates, and is even rotting on piers, while so many go hungry.”

Back in the Dominican Republic, Jean Carlos reflected on the trip and the efforts South Texas Children’s Home Ministries, IBQ and TIME had made to help Haiti.

“When I helped fill and load the boxes of food on the bus, I thought, Wow, that’s a lot of stuff. But when we got there, it seemed like a drop in the ocean,” he said. But Jean Carlos concluded, “Mejor hacer algo, que no hacer nada.” Better to have done something, than not to do anything.

“We pray that these provisions will be an encouragement to these Haitian Christians and their pastor,” said Joanna Berry, STCHM’s Vice President of Family Counseling and International Ministry. “We want them to know that God and His people have not forgotten them in their distressing situation.”

South Texas Children’s Home Ministries has been involved in international ministry and humanitarian aid for several years, with much of their work centering in the Santo Domingo area of the Dominican Republic. Mission trips sponsored by STCHM offer many different ministry activities and opportunities for participants. Families are encouraged to go on a mission trip together, and individual adults, couples and adult groups are also welcome. STCHM also provides general residential childcare at campuses in Beeville and Goliad, family counseling services in Corpus Christi and Victoria, and job and life skills training for women through the Christian Women’s Job Corps of Corpus Christi.

As many of you know, South Texas Children’s Home Ministries has solid relationships with our Christian partners in the Dominican Republic through our ongoing international ministry efforts in the DR. Because of this, STCHM has a great opportunity to directly assist Haitian brothers and sisters in Christ who have lost everything. Our Dominican partners, along with Joanna Berry, STCHM Vice President – Family Counseling and International Ministry, have wisely taken the time to plan and assess the situation and needs before launching out to minister in the midst of the chaos and pain. Will you please take a moment to read about these efforts and consider giving what you can to help with this mission? For more information, click here for a flyer. Donations can be made by clicking the Donate button at the bottom of this page. Please designate Haiti Relief Fund when giving. Thank you for your prayers and support!

Gratefully yours,

Todd Roberson